| BETHLEHEM, PA - The next edition of NBC Sports Network's Fight Night features a dynamite triple header of boxing action on Friday, June 14th, at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA. Each and every combatant in the three nationally televised feature bouts is fully convinced that he will come out victorious. The telecast will begin at 8PM ET. We know this is impossible but all six fighters talk a pretty convincing game.
Philly heavyweight Bryant Jennings, 16-0, 8 KOs, is never short on confidence. His tear through the IBF rankings last year turned "BY BY" from unknown prospect to bona fide contender in 12 months. He sees his 10-round main event meeting with Russian Andrey Fedosov, 24-2, 19 KOs, as another chance to prove what he can do.
"I really don't know much about him, I just how much I put into this and know what I can bear and that he's no threat at all," Jennings said. "I also know that he don't work as hard as me, he may think he wants it more (than me) but he has no idea how bad I want this. I live this 24/7, 365! He's not ready for B. Y.! I am confident of a win come June 14th."
But Fedosov isn't impressed.
"Boxing is something I've done my entire life. I was born and bred to do this, and I am happy to come back to America to showcase my talents," Fedosov said. "There is nothing that makes me think I won't win this fight. I would not have taken this fight if I was not confident that I can beat Bryant Jennings."
In the 12-round co-main event, undefeated Russian light heavyweight KO sensation Sergey Kovalev, 20-0, 18 KOs, is certain he has the goods to defeat his rugged opponent, Cornelius "Da Beast" White, 21-1, 16 KOs.
"I will win because I am dedicated to this fight, I have a big desire to win, and I am hungry," said Kovalev. "I do not know much about White, but this is not unusual for me. My job is to train as hard as I can. I have every confidence that I have all the tools I need to beat White."
Thus far, Kovalev has had more than enough to turn back every foe willing to step into the ring with him. His recent knockouts have moved him up the 175-pound rankings and impressed just about everyone who watched. However, Houston's Cornelius White thinks a fight with Kovalev is exactly what he needs.
"It is a great opportunity for me to show the world that I am an elite fighter," White said. "This is the next step I need to get me closer to a world title. To fight a strong, undefeated fighter (like Kovalev) says a lot about me. I'll fight anybody. This fight will put my name out there. This will change my life!"
The winner of Kovalev-White becomes the voluntary IBF mandatory challenger for Bernard Hopkins' light heavyweight title.
In a welterweight 10-rounder, Bethlehem's Ronald Cruz, 17-1, 12 KOs, looks to bounce back from his first pro defeat against battle-tested banger Ray Narh, 25-2, 21 KOs, and Cruz is convinced he can do it.
"Number one, I know I have the skills and capabilities to beat anyone," Cruz said. "Number two, I'm eager to fight for a world title, and Narh is in my way. Added to all this, I have to prove that I'm a lot better fighter than I was in my last fight."
However, Narh has made his bones by visiting hometowns and defeating local stars. He sees Cruz as just another opportunity to do what he does best.
"Gonna win this match because I got more experience and his style suits me perfectly," Narh said. "I'll teach him the art of boxing. The harder he comes, the harder he will fall."
There can only be one winner in each of the three fights, so it will be interesting to see who gets the last word. |
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